CAGE'N BIRD

A COMMON CROP DISORDER

By Wanda Barras

IDENTIFYING CANDIDIASIS

Candida albicans, one of the most common crop disorders, is a mycotic [fungal] crop infection caused by yeast. Candidiasis in hand-fed birds may be a secondary infection.. Some causes of Candida include malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency, feeding old formula, stress and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics may alter the normal intestinal bacteria which suppress the growth of yeast and fungus. A good form of avian strain lactobacillus, administered as directed, will replace the Lactobacillus acidophilus (good bacteria, beneficial to a baby’s digestive system) that has been destroyed by antibiotics.

Candida albicans can develop in the birds digestive tract. Areas most commonly affected are the mouth tissues, the crop, the proventriculus (fore stomach) and the gizzard. In severe cases even the respiratory tract can be involved. Birds with classic Candida lose weight, regurgitate frequently and show signs of listlessness. A reduced growth rate may be evident and a noticeable increase in begging may be observed. Babies are usually undersized and cry constantly. Dehydration, diarrhea, crop stasis and a crop puffiness, caused by lesions within the crop, may also be observed. Cheesy white mouth lesions and crop mucous are sometimes evident. Cockatiels, Eclectus and Lories are especially susceptible to Candida infections.

COMMONLY PRESCRIBED DRUGS

When Candida invades the crop, a grayish-white layer of pseudo membrane covers the crop lining. The often ulcerated and inflamed wall will be thickened and opaque, making the crop puffy and abnormal looking. Regurgitation is caused by a loss of crop wall tone. Severe cases of Candida albicans may interfere with normal respiration and feeding, which can result in a seriously ill chick. If left untreated a plug may form in the trachea (windpipe), which can lodge in the bird’s syrinx [organ of voice], causing asphyxiation. Effective anti-fungal drugs often prescribed by veterinarians include mycostatin (Nystatin), fluconazole (Diflucan), and ketoconazole (Nizoral). Other effective but less prescribed anti-fungals, are flucytosine (Ancoban), itraconazole (Sporonox) and amphotericin B (fungizone). Anti-fungals are usually administered orally, but may be given topically or by nebulization [spray or atomizer] in order to make direct contact with the fungal growth.

Nystatin, the most commonly prescribed anti-fungal is a yellowish liquid suspension and is usually administered by mouth for several days or longer. Nystatin can be mixed directly into the hand-feeding formula but is more effective if given full strength about 1/2 hour before feeding. This will give it time to coat the crop lining and attack the unhealthy Candida organism. What many people don't realize is that to be effective, the nystatin must come in contact with the lesions. Nystatin works by disrupting fungal cell walls, and it is fungistatic. It is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. ("Understanding Antifungals", Margaret A. Wissman, DVM, Diplomat A.B.V.P., 1996, pp. 61-63). Anti-fungal effect works within the GI tract, is relatively non-toxic and is very poorly absorbed. This anti-fungal agent should not be used indiscriminately or as a preventative. Nystatin is effective for Candidiasis but new strains of Candida have been emerging that prove to be resistant to nystatin. Candida may become resistant to Nystatin from continued use, from inadequate or improper dosing regimens. Do not assume that a bird treated with nystatin will be free of Candida. Some resistant yeasts require antifungals other than Nystatin.

Diflucan, one of the newer drugs, has proved to be effective in treating fungal infections. A suspension combining Nystatin and Diflucan has been found to be a safe and effective treatment for Candida. Candida in cockatiels can prove to be extremely difficult to treat. When administered properly Diflucan can clear up Candidiasis within five days. The only drawback of Diflucan is it is very expensive.

Ketoconazole (trade name Nizoral) which is dosed orally is sometimes prescribed when Nystatin resistant strains of Candida develop. It is almost insoluble in water, expensive and can be toxic if used improperly. Using Nizoral on a severely ill and physically stressed bird can prove fatal. Nizoral should be used under veterinary supervision, only in physically "healthy" birds, to treat yeast infection, or as a preventative when using antibiotic therapy.

Some breeders use Nolvasan, a chlorhexidine disinfectant in treating mild cases of Candida. Especially in weaned juveniles and adult birds. A small amount (about 10cc per gal. of water never more then 20cc) added to drinking water has been reported to be successful in treating mild cases of Candida outbreaks in breeders and may even minimize the chances of Candida outbreaks. Some hand-feeders report that a drop or two of Nolvasan added to hand-feeding formula can prevent candida and other crop related disease, also, alternative treatments and preventatives have proved successful.

All Natural

A more natural remedy for preventing and maybe even treating Candida would be raw apple cider vinegar----yes, plain old everyday apple cider vinegar. Routinely adding a drop or two of raw apple cider vinegar to your hand-feeding formula mixture will help to establish a more normal pH in the gut. It is entirely safe and has no side effects 

I have been using ACV in the drinking water of my birds and most of my livestock and I have found no ill effects. on the contrary water bowls stay free of algae and all animals are healthy. You may safely add cider vinegar to breeders food and/or drinking water, starting with small amounts and building up to ½ to 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds of body weight or about 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (health food store variety best) to 8 oz water. That is, use about 1 oz. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (from health food store) to 1 gal of water or simply add a drop or two per cup of mixed hand-feeding formula (be sure to use S/S, glass or plastic containers). Apple cider vinegar naturally promotes acidity in the digestive system thus encouraging the growth of healthy bacterial flora. There are other benefits but we can get to that in another article.

A drop of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) added to hand feeding formula has also proved effective

Probiotics are a must!

It is advisable to add an avian strain lactobacillus (probiotic) to hand-feeding formula. A probiotic is a live microbial dietary supplement, which beneficially affect the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Antibiotics and other related compounds are not included in this definition. Probiotics are usually included in commercial hand-feeding formulas but are often remedied ineffective or destroyed when hand-feeding formula is heated. That is why administering a probiotic independently is recommended. There are many probiotics on the market, some in gel or powdered form. These can be added directly to formula. Bird Bene-Bac Gel by Pet Ag is a probiotic I use here. I prefer the gel, as a measured amount can easily be put into the babies’ beak. Whatever commercial probiotic you choose be sure to read and follow directions. Lactobacillus replaces the bacteria normally manufactured in the gut of the parent bird supplied to the baby through regurgitation. Probiotics aid digestion and encourages healthy micro-flora thus inhibiting unhealthy fungal and bacteria growth within the digestive system.

TRY GENTIAN VIOLET WASH FIRST

Candida is a common cause and sometimes a result of crop stasis. It should be treated quickly and efficiently. In some cases Candida can be resistant to prescribed medications and more often then not these anti-fungal drugs require long term treatment (sometimes as long as two to three weeks). The longer the treatment takes the noticeably weaker and less thrifty a chick becomes. Before administering an anti-fungal prescription treatment try a non-prescription anti-fungal Gentian Violet wash.

A 1% Gentian Violet solution is highly recommended for cases of Candidiasis and other fungal and yeast related crop conditions. It is a powerful non-irritant antiseptic that has also proved active against some gram positive bacteria. I have found Gentian Violet solution to be extremely effective in the treatment of even severe cases of Candida albicans and chronic ‘crop bloat’ (where crop continually fills with air).

What Is Gentian Violet and How Safe Is It?

Gentian Violet 1% is a powerful non-irritant antiseptic that, when used in minimal amounts, has proved effective against gram positive bacteria and fungal related crop problems. The key is minimal. The swab used to coat the interior crop wall, esophagus and oral cavity would be saturated with the agent but not overly so. The duration of the procedure is also minimal---once a day for three days or every other day (3 times). Results are almost immediately realized.

Gentian violet (USP. C25 H30 CIN3) can be used therapeutically as an anti-ineffective. Its chemical name is hexamethylparaosaniline chloride. It is a dye derived from coal tar and is widely used as stain in histology, cytology, and bacteriology (definition taken from Tabor’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, F.A. Davis Company Copyright © 1993). The composition of Gention Violet 1% is: 10% ethyl alcohol, 2% gentian violet, and 88% water. The health or toxicity rating is 1 which is slight, practically nontoxic (HUMCO Material Safety Data Sheet for Gentian Violet 1%). A lethal dose would have to be above 15 gm/kg, more than one quart for a 150 lb. person!

The "For External Use Only" precaution on the label is just that, a precaution. Gentian Violets toxicity is low. When used as directed it has proved to be safe and beneficial. I developed and have used this "Gentian Violet Procedure" for many years and have seen only excellent results or, seldom, no results at all. Never have I experienced adverse effects, deaths or reactions to the Gentian Violet. I truly believe Gentian Violet, at a 1% concentration, to be safe and effective when used as directed.

Genetian Violet-GV-11(Noremco)

Ritchie, Harrison & Harrison---Avian Medicine: Principles and Application

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE REMEDY

Usually, improvement is quickly realized even after one treatment. The Gentian Violet Treatment has proven to be successful even in cases where conventional treatment has been ineffective. This is a safe and efficient remedy for treating Candida and even some questionable crop disorders. This procedure is extremely safe, works very quickly and is almost always effective. Usually no more than two to three treatments are necessary over a three-day period. Gentian Violet is safe for any age bird from tiny nestlings to adults.

Gentian Violet is available from some pharmacies and hand-feeding equipment suppliers. A solution of 1% Gentian Violet is used to swab the mouth, esophagus and crop of a bird suffering from Candida or other questionable crop disorder. Saturate a six-inch cotton tip swab with a 1% Gentian Violet solution. The saturated swab is slowly rotated around the mouth, down the esophagus and into the crop. Make sure to completely "paint" the crop interior with the purple Gentian Violet. It helps to place your thumb against the crop and run the swab in circular motions with in the crop while slightly pressing against the thumb.

CURE USUAL IN THREE DAYS

In un-feathered babies the condition of the crop can easily be seen through the skin. An unhealthy Candida-infected crop will show signs of cheese-like lesions. Healthy tissue within the crop will stain purple when swabbed with the Gentian Violet. The unhealthy tissue will show up whitish and mottled. Best results are realized when administered to an empty crop but an empty crop or evacuation of the crop is not absolutely necessary unless crop is more then ½ full. Treatment should be administered every morning or every other morning, depending on severity of infection, over a three-day period. Very rarely is treatment continued for more than three days, except in severe cases. Improvement should be evident by the second treatment. The whitish lesions on the crop wall will begin to disappear. When all lesions are gone, treatment can be discontinued. In cases of crop bloat the crop will deflate noticeably. This proven treatment is very safe, and satisfactory results are often realized almost immediately. If this three-day treatment fails to show improvement a veterinarian visit is highly recommended.

Diseases from fungi/yeast can be serious if care is not taken to prevent and control them. A daily observation of birds allows early recognition of signs of problems that, if caught early, can be successfully treated.

For more on Candida. From The Society of Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors, Inc. click here: candidiasis.htm

Copyright © 2001 Wanda Barras. All Rights reserved. WWW users are granted the right to download a single copy of this catalog and Mrs. Barras articles for archival on electronic media and/or conversion into a single printed copy for personal use. All commercial or educational use or reproduction of this material is strictly prohibited. It may not otherwise be reprinted or recopied, in whole or in part, in any form or medium, without express written permission of Wanda Barras.

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